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Senator Pushes New Bill To Drastically Reduce The Number Of Shelter Animals Euthanized Each Year

Written by: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| Published on February 27, 2017

Senator Kevin J. Rader of Florida certainly had the best of intentions when he proposed Senate Bill 1162. The Companion Animal Protection Act would require shelters to exhaust all possible alternatives before euthanizing any dog or cat.

Roughly 3 million pets are put down in shelters each year. While we all want to see that number decrease, many critics fear the bill will create a whole new set of problems.

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Posted by Pet Pal Animal Shelter on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

 

If passed, the Companion Animal Protection Act would require shelters to carry out and document several steps before resorting to euthanasia, including: contacting rescue groups, putting out pleas to foster homes, and creating temporary housing in the event of over-crowding.

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Posted by Pet Pal Animal Shelter on Saturday, February 25, 2017

 

The shelter directors would also be required to sign off on their documented efforts and make those records available to the public for three years.

Read the entire bill here:

Skeptics like Scott Daly, Executive Director of the no-kill Pet Pal Animal Shelter, worry that lawmakers are failing to foresee the consequences of such a law. Daly is a former state-run shelter employee and has witnessed countless animals put to sleep due to illness, injury, temperament, and most of all, over-crowding.

Meet Sassy!
Yorkie/Chihuahua Dog aged 12 months

Posted by Pet Pal Animal Shelter on Saturday, February 25, 2017

 

He fears that tying shelters’ hands on this issue would lead to near-instant space concerns. With the shelters at capacity and unable to make adequate space, they may have to close their doors altogether.

Denver
10-week-old dachshund/terrier mix
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Posted by Pet Pal Animal Shelter on Friday, February 17, 2017

 

At the very least, more pets would be turned away and later abandoned, increasing the stray animal population. As stray dogs and cats multiplied, community members, children and pets would be at risk for diseases transmitted through urine and feces.

Turn on your TV set this morning to see Snoopy in action on ABC Action News – WFTS – Tampa Bay!

Posted by Pet Pal Animal Shelter on Friday, February 24, 2017

 

Florida residents and pet parents are urged to contact their local legislators regarding Senate Bill 1162.

What do you think about the Companon Animal Protection Act? Would you support a similar bill in your state?

H/T to DogingtonPost.com

Featured Image via Flickr/Lionknots.

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